Category Archives: Eco Friendly Parenting

School Lunches – Here Goes!

Tomorrow my daughter starts kindergarten. Yes, the big day is just about here.

As you may have noticed, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how to pack her lunch. It’s one of the few things that I have control about how green it is when it comes to school (yes, we walk there). And I’ve been wanting the Laptop Lunches from ReusableBags.com because it just makes so much sense to me. But a bit pricey on my current budget. Tough being a stay at home mom, and all that.

I finally found an adequate alternative at my local Target. It’s called a Lock & Lock with removeable trays. I had wanted the Fit & Fresh Lunch on the Go, but that wouldn’t fit in the lunch box my daughter already has, and I am NOT buying a new lunch box when the old one is just fine. I’ll admit the Laptop Lunches probably would have replaced it, but in the $20 range so I figured I could take a look locally and see if I could get something similar cheaper. At about $3-4 each, my Lock & Lock trays will certainly do the job.

These are much smaller than the Laptop Lunches, but then we are talking about a kindergartener’s appetite. For that it should hold enough. Continue reading →

Green Keep Cool Ideas for the Family

It’s hot today where I live. 98 degrees F, and a warming trend expected for next week.

As you can probably imagine, my kids aren’t too interested in playing outside, unless it’s in the kiddie pool, and I’d rather let the sun get a bit lower in the sky before we do that, just to avoid sunburns and heat exhaustion. My kids tan well, but I burn very easily.

sunglasses

Today we’ve been having to come up with ways to stay fairly cool indoors. I’ve resorted to using the air conditioner. It’s set to around 80-82, not that it gets that low in here in this weather. I covered the windows that allow the most heat in so they have a little more insulation too. That makes a wonderful difference.

But the hardest thing is keeping the kids busy without just plopping them in front of the television.

Started out by making them a tent out of the couch cushions. Great fun for them, at least an hour’s creative play. Continue reading →

So Many Recalls

There’s a lot of talk right now about all the toy recalls going on. It really is amazing that so many unsafe toys are still being made.

I was watching my local news broadcast a story on this. They showed a toy executive talking a bit about why they make toys overseas. Lots of hedging of course, and avoiding admitting that it’s mostly a cost cutting measure. Apparently a toy that costs $1 to make overseas costs about $8 to make in the United States.

But I honestly don’t understand why anyone thinks it’s okay to use lead in paint, especially on toys. As noted on the Green Options blog, the damaging effects of lead have been know since about 100 BC. And it’s not exactly arcane knowledge. I don’t think anyone I know isn’t aware of that these days.

To me, the big question is why would anyone use lead in paint, anywhere? It’s not just that it’s making it here, it’s that it’s apparently so easy to use in places such as China, despite that the effects are so well known. I wish more countries wouldn’t let manufacturers use so harmful a chemical so easily. It’s not good for anyone.

I’m feeling quite fortunate right now that none of the toys my kids have are impacted by this recall.

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Back to School in Green

Yes, I am thinking a lot about back to school. It started with wondering how on earth I’m going to come up with good lunches for my picky daughter (leading to my new interest in Laptop Lunches and other reusable lunch bags), but I do have to get other things for my daughter too.

back to school

No backpack, though. Her one from last year is just fine. She still loves it and it’s in great condition.

Office Depot offers an entire Buy Green section on their site. I’m rather fond of them since I don’t have a car available to me when my husband’s at work and they deliver for free on orders over $50. If you’ve every had to buy printer ink, you know how easy that is to reach. And they do have printer cartridge recycling available too, although I think you have to go in store for that.

I think sometimes they use the AP nontoxic certification to mean green, at least with crayons and markers, rather than any sort of more clearly green standard. I could wish for a more clear standard on these things, or maybe the soybean crayons I hear Prang makes. Continue reading →

Green School Lunches That Won’t Turn Your Child Green

School is going to start up again very soon in my area. My daughter will be entering kindergarten this year, and I’m having to face making lunches for her to bring to school, as her class runs until 1:00 in the afternoon.

I’ve had to deal with snacktime during her time in preschool, but this will be the first time I have to get her a lunch ready. And she loathes peanut butter, which has to be “genetic” or something. I don’t like it either, nor does my paternal grandmother. And yes, I am pretty much joking about the genetic aspect. It’s just funny seeing so much of that in one family.

I’m loving the sound of the Laptop Lunches Bento Box from ReusableBags.com. They look so clever, and would give me the flexibility I think I’ll need to cope with such a picky eater. 5 reusable containers in one box, and the option to buy a sleeve with room for an ice pack to keep things cool.

I should take back that picky eater part, though. She’s not that picky in a lot of ways. Loves most vegetables and fruits. It’s just the classic lunch foods that disinterest her.

What’s really nice is that they include a little recipe book with the box. I know I need ideas! I have about a week and a half before school starts (yes, midweek).

So far, I’m thinking pasta salads, rice dishes, nuts, and of course lots of fruits and vegetables. Many of these I need to test on her to figure out which she will enjoy day after day. Much too hard to make a single serving for just one 5 year old. I’d rather make enough to not need to prepare something every day.

I just love the idea of being able to provide her with healthy lunches without all the disposable junk that so often accompanies children’s lunches at school. Last year she was almost the only kid in her preschool class using reusable containers for snacktime – beyond the lunch bag the snacks were carried in, of course.

What do you have your kids bring to school for their lunches? Do their schools offer a good lunch?

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